A responsible officer of Golden Pillars (HK) Limited was prosecuted by the Labour Department (LD) for failing to pay wages to five employees in accordance with the Employment Ordinance (EO). The responsible officer was convicted at West Kowloon Magistrates' Courts and fined $80,000 today (September 15). The responsible officer was also ordered to pay the employees an outstanding sum of about $70,000.
The company failed to pay five employees' wages totalling around $70,000 within seven days after the expiry of the wage period or the date of termination of employment in accordance with the requirements of the EO. The responsible officer, a former director and an incumbent company secretary, was convicted for his consent, connivance or neglect in the above offences.
"The ruling helps disseminate a strong message to all employers, directors and responsible officers of companies that they have to pay wages to employees within the statutory time limit stipulated in the EO," a spokesman for the LD said.
"The LD will not tolerate these offences and will spare no effort in enforcing the law and safeguarding employees' statutory rights," the spokesman added.
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